Letters to the Editor Friday

In his letter to the editor (Sept. 22), Lee Cook says the 47 percent who Mitt Romney insultingly and incorrectly called freeloaders are “always Democrats.”

He is incorrect: They are all of us.

Many who pay no federal income taxes are seniors, in the military or part of the super-rich — all traditionally Republican voters. Note that “blue states” typically pay more in federal taxes than they receive in federal benefits, and “red states” typically take more federal money then they contribute in taxes.

Also note that Mr. Romney pays virtually no income tax, only a 15 percent capital gains tax which he is able to further reduce through manipulation of the tax code and its many “loophole” deductions.

Those deductions were created by Republicans to encourage behavior that they like, such as home ownership, charitable giving, drilling for oil and growing corn.

One can debate the merits of such social engineering tax policies — and I think on balance they have been helpful — but they have some undeserving beneficiaries such as Mr. Romney and many large corporations.

Republicans condemn Democrats for liking to “tax and spend,” but that is just being responsible. Republicans, on the other hand, prefer to (selectively) cut taxes and spend more, which is irresponsible and created the deficits and lead to the weak economy that Mr. Obama inherited.

PETER A. GIUSTI

Savannah

Former Savannahian glad to be in Effingham

I spent the first 59 years of my life in Savannah and Chatham County and was always proud of my community.

However, I count my blessings on a daily basis, since my family and I have been able to relocate to Effingham County. Even though we live in an unincorporated area, we have excellent garbage and recycling pickup as well as great law enforcement, EMS and fire services.

I am really saddened by the current situation in Savannah, which has been implemented by governmental inadequacy and what I believe to be blatant reverse racism. As an honors graduate of Savannah State University, I am even more disconcerted by the negative attitude and actions of the previous mayor and current mayor, both of whom have previous affiliations with SSU.

I sincerely hope that there are brighter days ahead for metropolitan Savannah, but I have serious doubts considering the incompetence and prejudices of the current city and county administrations.

EDWARD J. FAHEY, JR.

Springfield

Fed digging an economic grave for America

Quantitative easing, or QE3, is printing new money with nothing to back it — except for maybe the taxpayers’ willingness to pay higher taxes. When do you say enough is enough?

It was recently announced that the Federal Reserve System will start buying $40 billion (with a “B”) of mortgage-backed securities on the open market for its own portfolio each month. This move by the Fed has been labeled by the press as QE3. The reason given for this new round of bond buying was to stimulate the economy and specifically to bring down the unemployment rate.

Sounds like a bailout of Wall Street and not Main Street to me. The administration wants to inflate our way out of this economic mess. When you’re in a hole what is the first rule? Stop digging. Ben Bernanke apparently wants to please his overlord, President Obama, so he can be re-elected and he can thus remain chairman of the Fed.

Remember what Margaret Thatcher once said: “Sooner or later, you run out of other people’s money.”

The problem is that inflating the price of gold, silver, oil and stocks doesn’t create jobs.

I know I’m not a lot smarter than all the king’s horses and all the king’s men. But am I missing something here?

DON GROSS

Savannah

Something amiss with Romney’s tax returns

Is Mitt Romney not quite being honest with his tax returns?

He has released the 2010 and, finally, the 2011 returns. The consensus is Mr. and Mrs. Romney did not take the full deduction for charitable contribution to maintain an effective tax rate above 14 percent.

That reveals the following considerations.

Since that adjustment was not on the 2010 return, it is apparent criticism of the low 13 percent rate for 2010 had an effect. Could the reason no earlier returns have been released is because the rates would have been lower?

A second concern is the failure to take advantage of a deduction which is legal and available. Would financial decisions if elected president be based on what is to his advantage rather than beneficial to all?

A minor observation is the decision to reduce the deduction did increase the tax payment and, therefore, the revenue to the government by not using all of the deduction. Maybe that was to help the 47 percent?

STANLEY HARRIS, JR.

Savannah

Obama’s fundraising emails: Enough already

My email inbox has been inundated lately with solicitations from President Obama or Joe Biden to enter a contest for dinner with Obama.

When I try to delete it, another box comes up stating something to the effect of, “No I don’t want to enter this contest, but I will be voting for the Obama ticket.”

Isn’t this an invasion of my privacy?

I will add, my privacy has not been invaded by any solicitations from Mitt Romney. I have spammed all of the Obama emails, but they continue under another name.

DELIA B SADLER

Savannah

Gay marriage to bring divine punishment

The president of the United States recently stated that those that practice homosexuality should be able to “marry” one another, and that this marriage should be accepted by our society.

By making such a statement, he is denying the beauty of the created order and with it the Creator Himself.

The stage is set for further divine judgment upon America. Don’t take my word for it — read the second half of Romans 1 for yourself.

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Pleeease...The Dems are responsible and it began with them forcing banks to give mortgages to unqualified people. ie: the housing bubble. Adding to that is Obama's directives to cut jobs by raise gas prices, shutting down the coal industry, Obamacare and the not allowing the Keystone pipeline. All are job killers. Remember, Obama doesn't want the USA to be a superpower....Read his books.

Oh, about Mitt's taxes. You need to stop spouting the Liberal line. The income he used to invest and receive capital gains was earned income and subject to the same Tax Code as everyone. Interesting that no one questioned John Kerry about his capital gains when he ran in 2004, as he was richer than Mitt.

Please learn wants really taking place before you spout off the Liberal playbook.

Let's set the record straight. Mitt Romney is doing his fair share of soliciting. My privacy has been invaded by at least one phone call per day from him - STOP CALLING ME!!! For the record....I'm on the DO NOT CALL LIST.

I do not recall seeing an article where a bank CEO said the democratic party walked into my office, put a gun to his head and told him to give loans to unqualified people. Do you? Good old fashioned human greed and lust for power was the cause of this. What they did was an atrocity and all responsible should be in jail. Democrat and republican alike were responsible for this outrage, which ultimately caused the downfall of the economy. The keystone pipeline will only create jobs until the pipeline is finished, then all but a few will be let go to find jobs elsewhere. The oil out of this pipeline is not even to be sold in this country, but will be sold on the open market. Another thing, when are you guys going to get it through your heads that neither Obama or Romney give two [filtered word]s about you. I don't see any of them having fundraisers with the middle class. You have nothing to give to them, so they don't give a [filtered word] about you.

As far back as the presidency of Clinton, the banks were pushed to give mortgages to uncreditworthy customers by the government. Even Obama as a community organizer was involved in a lawsuit against banks in Chicago to force them to give mortgages to people who could not afford them. Fannie Mae was told to relax its lending requirements by Congress, particularly by the Democrats. The Republicans can be faulted for not fixing the problem when Bush was president. So the hand of government, particularly Democrats, was in part responsible for the housing bubble and collapse. It didn't require a gun, just intimidation and the threat of lawsuits.

The attack on the US Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, that killed Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three others.

For a week the President, Secretary of State and the US Ambassador to the UN kept saying, the cause was a video and not a terrorist attack.

Sources now confirm that the Obama administration knew from day one that the Sept. 11 attack on the US Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, that killed Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans was an act of terror

Why all the lies????

The President and Secretary of State said the FBI will investigate this completely but as of yesterday the FBI has not been to the site.

Again why the lie.

Romney's taxes are small potatoes compared to Obama's failures.How about looking at some real problems.

Excluding January 2009, the month when Barack Obama was inaugurated, unemployment has stayed above 8 percent, which is longer than under any other administration since the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) started measuring the monthly jobless rate, 1948. This after almost a Trillions dollars was throw at it or better thrown away.

Your letter has so many factual errors it's hard to know where to begin. First, if the "rich" have no income, they pay no taxes. Do you have a problem with that? Do you want to start a wealth tax? Most of the 47% are not retirees. If you're not retired, handicapped or in school, in my opinion you are a freeloader. No one would begrudge someone not paying income tax if they are temporarily out of work. I do resent those who make unemployment and welfare a lifestyle. If you don't know that the vast majority of the freeloaders are Democrats, you are truly ignorant.

During all of his campaigning has Obama cited one positive thing he has done to make life better for us in this country. NO! That is why he is running on class warfare; the rich versus the middle class. I wonder if Ted Kennedy thought it was evil to be rich. How about John Kerry. Isn't Nancy Pelosi rich? How about Harry Reid. Somehow it is okay for these Democrats to be rich but a rich Republican is somehow evil.

Obama is doing his job well. He is dividing this country to the point that no matter who wins the election this division will not be healed anytime soon.

During all of his campaigning has Obama cited one positive thing he has done to make life better for us in this country. NO! That is why he is running on class warfare; the rich versus the middle class. I wonder if Ted Kennedy thought it was evil to be rich. How about John Kerry. Isn't Nancy Pelosi rich? How about Harry Reid. Somehow it is okay for these Democrats to be rich but a rich Republican is somehow evil.

Obama is doing his job well. He is dividing this country to the point that no matter who wins the election this division will not be healed anytime soon.

I served for over 15 years, both as an officer and enlisted, and paid taxes EVERY year.

Anyone who does not understand why the tax rate on capital gains is "low" needs to educate themselves. Dividend income is already taxed at the corporate level before being distributed to investors. Long-term gains are not adjusted for inflation, so an apparent gain for tax purposes may actually reflect a loss of wealth. Gains are almost always taxed in the year in which they are realized, but losses can frequently not be written off for years, if ever. I would support taxing capital gains at the top marginal rate only if corporate dividends are not taxed prior to distribution to investors, and the cost basis of an investment is adjusted for inflation.

And I don't think that Romney believes that every member of the non-federal-tax-paying 47% is a moocher, but he is certainly correct that there are enough "takers" in that bunch that we should be very concerned. When the voters paying federal income tax are outnumbered by those who do not, we will be in big trouble, perhaps too big from which to recover. The next president should be more concerned with establishing a business climate more conducive to job creation, so that more of that 47% will be paying taxes, not consumed with finding ways to seize assets from those who do pay federal income tax to make those who do not more comfortable in their low or no pay status.

Peter, i agree with you that the 47% are not all Dems, but you miss the point of what he said. The point was that the 47% of individuals that don't pay any taxes are not interested in his platform of cutting taxes. They pay non already so that is not appealing to that 47%. That isn't to say some won't vote for him, but they won't vote for him based on that or the cutting government entitlements. All of which is 100% true. They may vote for him because he is anti-aborttion or because he wants to repeal obamacare or because they like his wife's shoes, but that his basic platform is not what is going to appeal to them. As for the taxes, he didn't use any loopholes. He gave $4mm to charities. That isn't a loop hole it is a deduction. Anyone who gives to charities or itemizes their deductions is therefore a tax cheat according to your logoic. With your argument you lose all credibility. Complain his percentage is too low, complain that the tax code should be revamped to a flat or fair tax, but to criticize someone for taking deductions that everyone who itemizes takes is silly. As for your complaint Stanley I agree he should have taken all of his deductions and paid less than the 10% he would have been required too. I would rather him give $4mm directly to the charities where presumably at least 80% after admin costs go toward helping people firectly than give it to the government to use to pay China interest for the debt we have accumulated or to a foreign country as aid despite the fact they didn't protect our embassy. You are simply looking for something to complain about. Why not criticize President Obama. He said he thinks there should be a minimum of 30% paid by people making over $1mm. He said he himself paid 23% despite his income and that was wrong, but I don't see him leading by example and stroking a check for the extra 7%. Criticize that first.

The president of the United States recently stated that those that practice homosexuality should be able to “marry” one another, and that this marriage should be accepted by our society.

The same thing was said about interracial marriage years ago. In fact, some states still have that law on the books, but do not enforce it.

By making such a statement, he is denying the beauty of the created order and with it the Creator Himself.

Your negative comment is supposed to be beautiful and inspired by the "creator" himself? When you get a phone number and a direct line to Him, I'd like to have it. Otherwise, I have my OWN connection with the God I believe in, and he doesn't judge others, much less try to pull political agenda into marriage.

The stage is set for further divine judgment upon America. Don’t take my word for it — read the second half of Romans 1 for yourself.

"further devind judgment"? Where have we seen actual judgment passed on to America in the first place? Again, I ask if YOUR God told you that it had been set or not.

You keep on taking scripture out of context and using it for your excuses to make other people feel like they are not entitled to the same benefits as other. We'll see who going to have their "divine judgment". You don't speak to people as if YOU are the last word, the person that speaks FOR God. Because MY God tells me that you are a hypocrite.

Dude, FIRST: Politics is not a pillow fight. So you want Obama to campaign on an un-level playing field? Slanted toward the Repubs? Its already slanted. Think VOTER SUPPRESSION.

SECOND: Are you aware that Republicans have collected far more anonymous SuperPAC money than the Dems?

THIRD: Your complaint about George Soros implies that it is OK for Republican SuperPACs to take money from billionaire businessmen -- like the sleazy gambling casino magnet, Sheldon Adelson -- but the Dems should sit on their hands. You must really hate this America. You seem to be pushing for a “PLUTOCRACY.” Why? Do you think the middle class and poor shouldn’t have a say in how this country is run? At least billionaire Soros has been spending his money working for a more open and transparent and all-inclusive society. You on the other hand seem to admire billionaires like Adelson, who may soon be charged with federal corruption crimes for bribing Chinese officials, and for other seedy operations. That’s your world. NOT MINE!

FOURTH: Are you aware that people like Karl Rove, Grover Norquist and others have made a very very handsome living MONETIZING political ideology, fomenting discord? And they’re doing a darned good job of it. Look at the divisiveness and rancor in politics today. The “my way or the highway” attitude of groups like the Tea Party is RIPPING AMERICA APART like never before. This is exactly what is helping Rove continue to personally profit while the America tanks. Crumbling schools. Wars that we have our grandkids pay for.
Dude, YOU are really getting desperate.

ROMNEY is TANKING. Even though anonymous millions are pouring into his campaign.

FIFTH: This whole messy political system has blossomed because:

** Citizens United is BAD LAW unleashed by an ACTIVIST Supreme Court -- Republican Activists -- that expanded the scope of the Citizens case far beyond the Citizens’ legal complaint -- Extremely rare!

** That unleashed BILLIONS of dollars in this election, a vast majority of which is coming from ANONYMOUS donors.

** WHERE DO THOSE ANONYMOUS BILLIONS COME FROM?? The money doesn't grow on trees. Those billions that are pouring into anonymous SuperPACs are an "INVISIBLE TAX" that YOU and I pay to the corporations when we buy their products.

** It now is clear that some of this money is even coming from overseas sources! Jeeeez! You think it is OK for anonymous billionaires, overseas businessmen to influence America’s political system???? This Ain’t Russia or some mob-ruled banana republic.

I suppose you want President Obama to show up to a gun fight with a bean bag.

Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z Stanley Harris is SPOT ON! Romney can't even cook the books correctly on the two years that he "SANITIZED" his tax records. Still Waiting for Mitt Romney to Release his Tax Returns for the Years he ran Bain Capital, and for the decade thereafter.

Flat tax 15% for all americans, no deductions.
Balance the budget based on the 15% income level. Includes changes to all entitlement programs as necessary
Term limits (2 terms) for all house and senate members
Reduce pay to all congress men and women to $75k and index to inflation.
Terminate any pension plan and allow for 401-k as most in private sector have.
Remove special healthcare program and put all federal employees on Obamacare.
Leave the middle east.
Seal the borders to protect against terrorism. Insure that the work Visa program is adequate for our construction and agricultural needs.
Enforce illegal immigrant laws already on the books.
Drill for more oil domestically
Pay down debt with any proceeds that exceed the budget

there will be a lot of cuts, but most people don't pay over 15% effective rate anyway so i will be simplifying the tax code, cutting the number of IRS enforcement officers needed drastically, broadening the tax base and anything that doesn't cover the basics of defense of country, and the protection of its citizens is gone...No more Solyndra, no more foreign aid without measurable benefits. It would and should be more than enough. Three thumbs down...really? what part(s) did you guys not like?

With a job you might not be as jealous and bitter about those who are more successful than you. You might have more to live for than hoping Obama's redistribution might put more dollars in your government check. And the readers of this newspaper would have some rest from your inane comments. Your referencing MoveOn.org is especially telling how radical you are.

He freely admitted that he smoked marijuana, and his friends describe him as passionate in that endeavor. The moveon.fraud demand that Romney be investigated hinges on the contention that he lied about his relationship with Bain Capital on his campaign financial disclosure form. If Obama could be convicted for every time he told a bold-faced lie to the American people, we wouldn't have to worry about having him around for the forseeable future. If we could punish him for every time he coddled our enemies, every time he offended our allies, every time he invoked class warfare and identity politics, every time he placed regulatory and financial barriers to free trade and entrepreneurship and every time he attempted to circumvent the Constitution with respect to separation of powers, he would never again see the light of day.

A potential technical violation on a campaign financial disclosure form that harmed no one? I think I can live with that, even if it is true.

I believe that, if you read my post, I clearly said that BOTH sides have taken scripture out of context. However, there is a group that doesn't actually believe in God or the Bible at all but, nonetheless, uses highly selective scriptural excerpts, when convenient, that would seem to support their personal views or discredit opposing views (e.g., "render unto Caesar...", "let he amongst you who is without sin...", etc.). I'll let you decide for yourself which side of the gay marriage discussion is supported by that group.

Oh, and BTW, "interracial marriage", last I checked, involved one man and one woman, meeting the traditional criteria for marriage.

from your last paragraph in the reply, we know which side of the argument you stand on.

My comment referring to "interracial marriage" was geared towards a time when it was NOT acceptable, and even Biblical scripture applied as the basis for it to be illegal. Now, in today's times, it is entirely acceptable.

Gay marriage (M/M and F/F) is going to be LEGAL in that manner, in our generation, whether people like it or not.

Seems to me that if they would simply require the same registration/licensure as straight couples already receive, etc, right across the board, there would not be this kind of argument, now, would there? Are you saying there needs to be specific laws for gay marriage, so, through the legal system, there are certain "loopholes"? That would be open discrimination in the legal system.

No, I did NOT post anything THAT blatant in rhetoric about Romney. I only argue what I KNOW.

And, just face it: inside our generation, it will become legal for gay people to marry. People can fall down on their backs, flay their arms and legs, and have a temper tantrum in public, but it IS going to happen, whether I like it, whether YOU like it or not...it's going to happen.

It's like acceptance of any kind of even that happens in life: there are 5 parts, and two are bargaining and acceptance. Lot's of people are still bargaining, but, eventually, those same people will have to accept it, like it or not.

wdharvey11 "Seems to me that if they would simply require the same registration/licensure as straight couples already receive, etc, right across the board, there would not be this kind of argument, now, would there?"

This is not in place so again my question is how is DHS going to decide who is and who is not in a relationship?

wdharvey11 "Are you saying there needs to be specific laws for gay marriage,"

Did you not not read what I wrote because I said no such thing. Again this is what I said "Problem is how does DHS ascertain if there is a partnership or not? Again, more laws and rules without Congress, who represent us, involved.

Max you said “I served for over 15 years, both as an officer and enlisted, and paid taxes EVERY year”. I guess that none of those 15 years were ever in a war zone or you were never wounded. Active duty pay in a war zone is not taxed also if you were wounded then any time spent in a hospital from a war wound is not taxed. A military man or woman doesn’t have to spend all year in a war zone to not have to pay Federal Income Taxes, just enough time to lower their already low income and they don’t pay taxes (tens of thousands fall into this group). I think you can figure out that wounded warriors that spent time in a war zone and then months and years hospitalized pay no taxes, so in this case we are talking about wounded veterans in that 47%.

personal attack? where did you get that from? If you are not in favor of gay marriage, you are in favor of discrimination. Period. That's not a personal attack. It's an observation and an opinion.

I never said you were IN politics, either. I said there is no room for discrimination IN politics.

Man, if you don't like it when someone disagrees with you, please, don't take it personal. I don't agree with YOU, but you have the right to believe the way you would like to.

So, now, I'm guessing you are going to flag me for making some kind of personal attack (imagined), huh?

This is exactly why I'm sick and tired of political rhetoric. People are so ready to get on the defensive with anyone who doesn't agree with them, they have not one shred of an open mind to hear what the other person may be saying, and they are so quick to judge based on political affiliation. They are also so quick to apply personal feelings and beliefs to others and cause discourse with others, and feel that election time is the time to really "let it all out there", to "tell it how it really is (according to them)"...

If you want to take it as a personal attack, go right ahead. It's not my insecurities speaking.

Why would someone have to accept something that goes against all natural logic, and then it wants to stranglehold God? It entangles pastor and preachers to change the Word, not for the better, but for a new understanding, and not one recognized at the original idea.
For those that do in the name God, the uncertainty, certainly does not justify the means.

I am so sick and tired of this gay marriage foolishness. I think the 33 states that have vote against gay marriage and the large crowd that showed up in support of Chic-fil-a is proof that gay marriage will never be legalized in this country. I am sick of liberals trying to destroy morality in this country.

wdharvey11 "This is exactly why I'm sick and tired of political rhetoric. People are so ready to get on the defensive with anyone who doesn't agree with them, they have not one shred of an open mind to hear what the other person may be saying, and they are so quick to judge based on political affiliation. They are also so quick to apply personal feelings and beliefs to others and cause discourse with others, and feel that election time is the time to really "let it all out there", to "tell it how it really is (according to them)"..."

The above is exactly what wdharvey11 has done when with the statement that I am "blatantly discriminate." because I am not on the same page.